Derby County's three-match unbeaten run came to an end this evening with a 1-0 defeat at Plymouth Argyle.

Paul Green came close to giving the Rams the lead in the second half at Home Park, but he hit the post from a tight angle.

Rob Hulse also came close during the night, and was denied a seventh of the season late on by David Stockdale in the Plymouth goal and Mackie rubbed salt into the wounds with a powerful strike with just eight minutes to go.

Derby's line-up displayed three changes from the FA Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers at Pride Park at the weekend. Goalscoring hero Jay McEveley started for the first time since the turn of the year in place of Dean Moxey at left-back and up front Rob Hulse and DJ Campbell were restored to the side at the expense of Steven Davies and Chris Porter who were both amongst the substitutes.

Argyle's home match with Barnsley at Home Park on Saturday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, and the playing surface showed early signs of cutting up in the pre-match warm-up.

The playing surface certainly wasn't conducive to a passing game and as predicted by Nigel Clough the game was a real battle from start to finish.

Derby spurned a good opportunity in the opening two minutes to take the lead when Campbell chased a looping ball into the Argyle box and set the ball up for Green but he skied the ball way over the crossbar.

The awkward bounce of the ball on the bobbly surface was something Derby had to adapt to, and that they did as they dominated the early exchanges.

Derby looked lively on the attack, especially from out wide, and Campbell glanced a header wide from a Johnson delivery as the Rams stamped their authority on the game early doors with another opportunity.

The pendulum was swinging Derby's way in the opening stages and Hulse, who scored twice in Derby's 3-0 success at Home Park last season, turned and fired just over with the aid of a deflection on his return to the side.

Argyle were pinned back in their own half as Derby retained possession well and launched countless testing balls into the home area to work the Plymouth backline.

Plymouth edged their way back into the game though before the break and had their first effort on goal after half an hour, but Summerfield's long range effort was straight at Bywater.

Derby dusted themselves down and upped the pressure again, and they almost took the lead when Green's dangerous cross from the right was almost diverted into his own net by Arnason but he diverted the ball just wide for a corner with Plymouth hearts in mouths.

That was the last act of the first period, and Derby started the second period on the attack with Pearson delivering an excellent cross from the left which was guided just over by Hulse at the near post.

The pressure continued and Derby were always looking to put Stockdale under pressure from crosses on his debut, as the Plymouth debutant failed to claim a number of crosses first time.

Argyle worked an opening ten minutes into the second period but Mackie was unable to hit the target from inside the area with a rising shot.

Derby were having to battle it out more in the second period, and in testing conditions their determination and energy never wavered.

Just after the hour Moxey entered the fray in place of Johnson, a move that saw McEveley move forwards to the left-hand side of midfield.

Argyle though they broke the deadlock soon afterwards through Arnarson, but his towering header from a corner was off target.

At the other end Hulse glanced a header inches off target as the Rams continued to look dangerous every time they poured forwards.

Derby made their second change with twenty minutes left by throwing Davies into the fray in place of Campbell.

He had an instant impact with a close-range shot that Stockdale blocked inside this six-yard box, and from a narrow angle Green could only hit the post as Plymouth survived.

Stockdale denied Derby a few minutes later when he blocked Hulse's shot on the turn from twelve yards out with his outstretched leg when the big striker looked to have finally broken the deadlock.

The goal would have been the perfect reward for the 500-strong following from Derby, who made themselves heard all night in the away end.

A goal did arrive moments later, but it was for the home side.

Summerfield's free-kick on the edge of the area crashed into the Derby wall, but from the rebound Mackie let fly with a thunderous low effort from eighteen yards that flew past the despairing dive of Bywater.

Derby responded strongly and put the home side back under pressure but their luck was ultimately out.

Commons was brought off the bench late on for McEveley to add a different attacking option to Derby's play and he was involved in the build to create a chance for Pearson but he blasted over from twenty yards out.

That was Derby's last chance and Mackie's goal was ultimately enough to inflict Derby's first defeat on the road since mid-November at Swansea City, despite five minutes of added time.

A local derby at Pride Park Stadium against rivals Nottingham Forest now lies in wait for the Rams on Saturday.